I'm BRCA2 positive. That means that I have a cancer gene. It has a 50/50 chance of being inherited, but since I have it, it gave me a 50-85% chance of breastcancer (10% in regular population). Not good odds obviously. It also gives me a higher ovarian cancer rate of 20-40% compared to 1.5% in normal population- more on that later.
It most likely has come through my Mum's side as I have a cousin who died of breastcancer in her early thirties, and my mum's cousin had 'early' breastcancer too. But that's it as far as we know. Noone with ovarian cancer and noone at all on Dad's side that we know of. For my siblings it means a 50/50 chance of having it. Our family is now known as a 'high risk' family. For my brother it could increase his breastcancer rate to 10%, and they recommend prostate checks at 40 instead of 50, but the implications for him are mostly about his daughters. Everyone in my family will be entitled to yearly screening and if anyone tests positive for the gene they will be offered prophylactic mastectomy and oophorectomy (ovaries out). The offer of genetic testing also extends to my aunties, uncles and female cousins. If any of them test positive their brothers and children can be tested and it just keeps on going out and out.
As yet my Mum and her sister have both decided not to test, and I am unsure about my sisters and brother. I am really struggling with this. I feel like I have inside knowledge in terms of facing your life and by not knowing they are sticking their heads in the sand. It is one thing to have regular screening and be aware of lumps etc but it is the ovarian cancer that scares me.
Ovarian cancer is virtually unscreenable. There is a blood test and transvaginal ultrasound but they are both regarded as reasonably ineffective. You often won't know you have it until it is killing you. With a BRCA2 mutation the odds of survuvability slightly improve from about 36% to 52%. Not great, and pretty much equal to your chance of not haivng breastcancer. This is what I struggle with in terms of my family declining/ignoring genetic screening.
I do not want a single one of them to go through that.
I also struggle with my siblings not wanting the test. My mom is BRCA2 positive. I have been tested and do not have it but worry about my siblings having this mutation and not getting proper testing done.
ReplyDeleteCured of TNBC!
ReplyDeleteI want to take this time out as a cancer survivor to encourage women out there still suffering from this with my story on how i got a cure. The sad news about it is that i was diagnosed on my 36th birthday in 2008 and with stage 3 TNBC which after i made research was a very aggressive form of cancer at that point i decided and told myself i was going to die and that the end has finally come. All my life i never thought of having breast cancer because i was very active and i worked out at the gym several times every week and my diet was okay. In my search for a cure after 6 years of diagnosis and even after chemo which i did twice spending thousands of dollars but to no avail, until a church member told me all about Dr Aleta a herbal doctor that specializes in treating TNBC, who could help me with a permanent cure, i doubted this at first but i later gave it a try following her methods and instructions. It took 3 months and after it all i felt normal but still went for diagnosis and i was clean today i am proud to say i am a cancer survivor no nodes and i am totally free the new diagnosis confirmed it. Do not die in silence or ignorance because of breast cancer just simply reach her on aletedwin@gmail.com don't be shy just speak to her today.